Sometimes you can get lucky

[ZTony8]

Another modeler and I are working on a project to build a close replica of his buddy's '58 Chevy Bel Air.One of the needed changes is to go from triple to double tail lights on each side.We've been kicking ideas around and I was almost to the point of just filling the holes in the body and cutting away at the kit's taillight bezels.Yesterday I was looking at some kits in my stash.One of them was the reissued '64 Mercury Marauder.In checking out the chrome parts tree I spotted a familiar shape.Yup-right on the tree were the exact taillight bezels I need.Whooda thunk it?

[fat50]

I love it when a plan comes together. LOL

So are the 1:1 taillights that similar?

[ZTony8]

Oh yeah.These bezels are dead on-definitely '58 Bel Air.

[sjordan2]

Since you're asking for opinions, can you show pictures of the 1:1 taillights and the intended kit replacements?

[Craig Irwin]

Dang, I'm needing the same parts and have been looking for Ala-Kart tailights! (It used the 58 Bel Air lights too)

Edited January 2, 2013 by Craig Irwin

[george 53]

The green striped custom Roth kit has them too. I think It's the Outlaw modded kit that has them.(Duhhh the Outlaw DOES have them too!)

[diymirage]

craig, i have that kit, if these are the NON STOCK bezels im sure i could spare them

[Craig Irwin]

diymirage, I don't know which kit it is you have, but I can't think the stock tailamps from a 64 Mercury would look anything like the ones from a 58 Chevy! They must be a custom option. The ones I need are a oval chrome base with two round pointed lenses, and a chrome devider between the two red lenses. I can't get a bicture to post or I would have, I found many on the net.

[lordairgtar]

Good luck on the project. Yer gonna have to reshape the fin where it wraps around down at the bumper too. The trunk goes further down to the bumper than the Impala does as well. The trunk lid will have to be reshaped.

[Maindrian Pace]

The '63 Advanced Custom Mercury kits had those taillights as well.

-MJS

[ZTony8]

Craig-Yes those are custom parts for the Mercury.And there are 2 sets on the tree.

I know there's a lot reshaping to do to make it a true Bel Air(the roof and quarter window shapes would also need altering).I wanted to go with an MCW resin Delray body and add the Impala moldings from a Revell '58 Impala kit but my co-builder said that his buddy isn't worried about it being all that close.So this thing is gonna be kind of a part way correct deal.